OFFENDERS who attack firefighters attending emergency calls will feel the heat of a new initiative being piloted in Merseyside.

Hot spot areas are being targeted by a Trojan fire engine with members of the Fire Service’s Threat Response Group and police officers from the Merseyside Police anti-social behaviour taskforce on board.

The Trojan engine, which operated for the first time on October 10, is part of a campaign aimed at tackling a recent increase in the number of attacks on crews in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

Superintendent John Myles said: “These criminal acts clearly have serious consequences to members of the fire service and local communities they are there to protect. That is why we are determined to work together in an innovative way to tackle this menace and bring those offenders responsible to justice through our war on crime and anti social behaviour.”

Chris Case, who heads up the Threat Response Group, highlighted the excellent work the group does with young people across Merseyside but warned that the “small minority” who put the lives of fire crews and the public at risk “will not be tolerated”.